Sunset Dunes: The Right Side of History
Sunset Dunes opening ceremony April 12, 2025. Photo by Carlo Velasquez/SF Standard.
By Joel Engardio
My time as a city supervisor will be shorter than expected. I accept the election results. But we can still celebrate. We are on the right side of history.
Sunset Dunes is a success. It’s good for the environment, good for our local economy, and it’s bringing joy to people of all ages. The feared traffic “carmageddon” never came. We created something positive. Very soon, we will wonder why this was ever a controversy. We won’t be able to imagine San Francisco without a coastal park and all the benefits it offers.
Change can be difficult, especially when it’s beyond our control. Severe coastal erosion meant the Great Highway was going to lose its greatest utility as a direct connection to Daly City — no matter what. Mother Nature gave us a lemon. The creation of Sunset Dunes is the lemonade.
I inherited a contentious debate about the future of the Great Highway and met with advocates on both sides. I supported democracy by giving people a choice about what to do with their coast. Prop K allowed for more public debate in the most open, democratic, and transparent process possible. Every voter had an equal say because the coast belongs to everyone.
As the park became more popular, the recall began to focus its anger on proposed new housing density. This raises some important questions about the future of San Francisco. Do we want to be a city that looks to the past and preserve it in amber? Or do we want to be a forward-looking and innovative city that welcomes new people and ideas?
I support progress, whether it’s open spaces where people can connect with each other or the housing we need to accommodate newcomers and let our adult kids and essential workers stay in San Francisco. If we never changed anything in San Francisco, the Sunset would still be sand dunes.
San Francisco will only realize its full potential if we let ourselves do bold things. We can’t be the most progressive city that fears change. We must be the most progressive city that embraces the future.
The Golden Gate Bridge faced a lot of resistance when it was proposed. Detractors called it an "upside down rat trap.” Thankfully, forward-looking people had the courage to build it anyway and create the icon of our city. This is the story of Sunset Dunes, and I invite you to visit. Find new ways to connect with nature. Discover the food, art, and culture of the Sunset neighborhoods. Be inspired by your coast and your park.
What would Jimmy Carter do?
When I gave the commencement speech for political science graduates at San Francisco State University in 2024, I told the class:
“You are charged with analyzing and navigating some of the world’s most intractable issues. But if you want to practice your skills for the State Department or the United Nations, go to any neighborhood association meeting in San Francisco and ask the following questions: Should the Great Highway be a highway for cars or a park for people? Where should we build housing? How high can the buildings be?”
I remember that line drew some knowing laughter from the audience.
Then I said: “Dare to answer those questions and you risk being kicked out of office as a one-term supervisor.”
Another laugh line, because comedy is found in the painful truth.
I told the graduates about the plaque above my desk that says “What Would Jimmy Carter Do?”
A one-term president. But history has shown the wisdom of his views on human rights, the economy, and the environment.
He put solar panels on the roof of the White House nearly 50 years ago. And when Jimmy Carter lost his 1980 re-election campaign, the new president — Ronald Reagan — tore out those solar panels. America doubled down on the gas and oil industry. Imagine how much better the world would be if we had followed Jimmy Carter’s vision and spent the past half century focused on advancing renewable energy.
I wish more elected officials had the courage of Jimmy Carter. Imagine if Bay Area leaders in the 1960s had more courage when planning BART. We would have train tunnels from downtown to the westside and under 19th Avenue. BART would go to Marin in the north, San Jose in the south, with multiple crossings to the East Bay.
But it wasn’t politically popular. And political survival usually comes first. Does anyone remember the names of county supervisors from the 1960s? Even mayors and governors are eventually forgotten.
We may not know their names, but we would be grateful if they had created the public transportation system we so desperately need today. That's why we must ask ourselves: What decisions can we make now that people will appreciate in 50 years, even if we aren’t remembered?
That’s why I ask myself: What would Jimmy Carter do?
I want to believe he would have supported Sunset Dunes, as an environmental issue first. With the bonus that it brings joy to a lot of people while benefiting the local economy.
When the world is on fire
I knocked on thousands of doors this year and talked to Sunset residents of every background. One woman stands out in how she summed everything up:
“Sunset Dunes is popular and the traffic is fine,” she said. “Why are we arguing about a park and a road when the world is on fire? We need to focus on more important things like saving our democracy.”
I agree. Our immigrant community is under attack. LGBTQ people are being targeted. Science-based institutions are being dismantled. A generation has grown up in a culture of mass shootings. We have a mental health crisis. The cost of housing and healthcare makes it impossible for many to survive.
City supervisors don’t have the powers of a governor or senator. But there is a lot they can do locally to fight what’s on fire in the world. Our Sanctuary City policy matters. Our housing and zoning policies matter. How we run our Department of Public Health matters.
And when it comes to the literal fires all over California, it matters how we approach the existential threat of climate change.
The Great Highway is a climate change issue. The southern section of the road is falling into the ocean from severe coastal erosion. The convenient connection to Daly City was going to close by state mandate no matter what. Cars had to divert inland no matter what. Given this reality, we created a new coastal park called Sunset Dunes. And the sky didn’t fall.
The reality of Sunset Dunes
Traffic studies show that cars are getting where they need to go with minimal impact. Fears of gridlock never materialized.
The Great Highway remains open between the Sunset and Richmond neighborhoods for easy access around Golden Gate Park. Traffic flow improvements on Lincoln Way and Sunset Boulevard let drivers get to Daly City and back in a similar time and distance as before.
The creation of Sunset Dunes is good for the environment. It also benefits the well-being of every visitor who now has more access to their coast than ever before. It’s even been a boost for small businesses in the area.
Meanwhile, Sunset Dunes has become one of the most visited parks in San Francisco as people discover the myriad new ways to enjoy our coast. We should ask why so much vitriol and anger over something so positive and beneficial to everyone?
A place for newcomers
There was a lot of ugly rhetoric and disinformation spread online about Sunset Dunes and my recall. It was disappointing to see so much fearmongering over welcoming new people to the Sunset.
Opposition to Sunset Dunes became synonymous with opposition to new housing. The catchphrase “Don’t let Ocean Beach become Miami Beach” stoked fears of rampant development that is simply not true. Our city charter forbids development on park land, and Sunset Dunes is a park. The streets along Sunset Dunes were never under consideration for upzoning in the mayor’s housing plan. Our coast will not become Miami Beach.
Yet park advocates were labeled as “dangerous” by recall leaders for supporting something that will attract “new people” and “a different type of people with a whole different set of values and visions” to the Sunset.
This rhetoric does not represent our city’s values. San Francisco has always been a place for newcomers from the Gold Rush to the Summer of Love. Every new immigrant, artist, LGBTQ person, and innovator makes our city better.
We need to build more housing in San Francisco and the west side, especially near public transit. All cities in California must do this because suburban sprawl has been terrible for the environment.
The refusal to build enough affordable housing in San Francisco has forced more people to the suburbs. And this includes some very important people a city needs to function — our first responders, teachers, and essential workers. We’re forcing them to live far away and commute back into the city. Even our adult kids and grandkids have to move away.
But they can stay in San Francisco if we embrace some apartment buildings in every neighborhood. There is precedent. We built six-story apartment buildings on Irving Street a century ago when the Sunset was transformed from sand dunes into neighborhoods. We can start building them again.
If we want to be good stewards of the environment, we will have to accept some taller apartment buildings near public transportation. And we will have to accept creating some safe spaces for walkers and cyclists.
That’s not asking a lot. No one is banning single-family homes. We’re only talking about some six-story apartment buildings. No one is banning cars. Far from it. We’re only talking about some cars taking a slightly different route.
How are we ever going to address climate change if we can’t build an apartment building or give up a road without turning it into an ugly battle over who deserves to live in a neighborhood and define its character?
Be like Dorothy
If we never changed anything in San Francisco, the Sunset would still be sand dunes. And we wouldn’t have residents like Dorothy Lathan. Dorothy was one of the first Black people allowed to buy a home in the Sunset — a few years after baseball star Willie Mays was denied on the westside.
Dorothy has lived across from the Great Highway for more than six decades. She contributed to our city as an educator and community leader. Dorothy’s presence is the benefit of change. And she embraces it, too. She loves Sunset Dunes.
My favorite image of Dorothy is seeing her at a Sunset night market, a cane in one hand and a margarita in the other, bobbing to the music. At 93, she is the antithesis of the angry old man who yells at clouds.
Dorothy is more fun to be around. Let’s be more like Dorothy and create our best San Francisco.
Sunset Dunes has become one of San Francisco's most popular parks because it is a transformational space that connects people to something bigger than themselves. The power of the ocean. The beauty of the sunset. A space where a child can learn to ride a bike and dream. A space where a senior can roll in a wheelchair and remember. A space for every facet of life. To celebrate, mourn, heal, and reflect.
At Sunset Dunes, you will find people of every background and families of every definition enjoying the coast. They are creating community with every holiday and cultural celebration, music concert, and senior yoga class held in the park.
Whether it’s open spaces where people can connect with each other or the housing we need to accommodate newcomers and let our adult kids and essential workers in San Francisco, I support progress. The recall movement wants to take us backwards and preserve the past like a fossil. I want to take us forward by embracing innovation and welcoming all people who want to be our neighbors.
Before long, people will forget why Sunset Dunes was controversial. And we won’t be able to imagine San Francisco without it.
Like the woman I met at the door said: “Sunset Dunes is popular and the traffic is fine. Why are we arguing about a park and a road when the world is on fire? We need to focus on more important things like saving our democracy.”
I’m certain Jimmy Carter would have said amen to that.
My record as a supervisor:
Not every resident is going to agree with their elected supervisor on every issue 100 percent of the time. Many residents supported me on issues like public safety, education, and small business — even if they disagreed with me on Sunset Dunes. After the park became a reality, some remained opposed to it. Others changed their mind. They said traffic was not as bad as they feared and they started enjoying the park. Support for Sunset Dunes will only grow.
I’m proud to have delivered results for the Sunset:
Restored parking access along Lower Great Highway, which had been overtaken with RVs.
Brought more foot patrols to merchant corridors with a program that lets recently retired officers return to the beat — and supported the mayor’s plan to expand and improve the program to help solve the SFPD staff shortage.
Secured $1 million in state funding for irrigation upgrades for Sunset Boulevard beautification and $1 million in city funding for more gardeners.
Delivered $1 million in relief for merchants disrupted by the L-Taraval train line reconstruction.
Accelerated the repair of three Sunset playgrounds by two years.
Authored and passed legislation that lets homeowners build and sell backyard in-law units — giving longtime residents options to downsize and create family wealth.
Protected the coast from high rise development and stopped the avenues along the Sunset Boulevard greenbelt from being up-zoned.
Supported the mayor’s sensible housing plan to focus much-needed housing on transit and merchant corridors.
Launched the Sunset Night Market with community partners. The events attracted tens of thousands to the Sunset to support local businesses. We also proved what’s possible for night markets citywide.
Worked with parent advocates and sponsored Prop G, which called on the school district to bring back 8th grade algebra. The threat of the measure pushed SFUSD to reintroduce the course after a decade of delay. Its passage ensured accountability.
Responded to thousands of constituent inquiries to fix things from potholes to traffic flow. My staff is incredibly dedicated to helping people.
Politicians come and go, but the creation of Sunset Dunes will benefit countless lives for generations to come. It was the largest pedestrianization project ever in California. Long after I’m retired, I look forward to walking and sitting in Sunset Dunes with my husband enjoying the ocean air and view. I hope you join us.
What to know more? Read these blog posts:
Case Against Recall
Case For Prop K
Debunking Disinformation